Root Canals

Modern Root Canals

Do the words “root canal” send shivers down your spine? Many Americans possess an inexplicable fear of root canal treatment. Actually, the fear probably stems from the distant past when root canals were performed without modern tools or anesthetics. Today’s root canal treatment is a safe, effective, comfortable, and often completed in just one visit.

What Is A Root Canal?

Endodontics is an entire field within dentistry, devoted to studying the interior of teeth. Inside the tooth is a complex network of blood vessels, connective tissue, and sensory nerves, a mass we call “tooth pulp.” This chamber runs down the center of a tooth’s roots, which extend down into the gum.

Causes Of Root Damage

Tooth pulp can come to be damaged by several factors:

Improper dental hygiene

An injury or accident breaks the tooth, allowing bacteria to enter tooth pulp

Loose fillings can allow bacteria to enter the root canal

Damage to the tooth can come to affect the tooth pulp, and will eventually damage the nerve.

Symptoms Of Tooth Root Damage

Severe pain, either during chewing or constantly

Uncomfortable sensitivity to heat and cold

Tender, swollen gums

Tooth discoloration

Pimples on the gum

A root canal is a treatment to remove the infection from inside the tooth. The infection can occur after a deep cavity, large crack, or fracture leaves the inside of the tooth susceptible to bacteria. The result is often pain and swelling, which can be alleviated with root canal treatment. The good news is that you get to keep your tooth! After root canal treatment has been completed, your restored tooth can potentially last you for a lifetime.

Ready to smile big?

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